Name: Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Brand: TheOrdinary
Rating: 4.5 (32 reviews)

Rich and earthy shades like mustard yellow, olive green, and chocolate brown look great on you

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This is a Health Functional Food certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea, designed to help maintain and improve your health.

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Tell us about what you liked - texture, results, skin type, etc

Tell us what didn’t work - texture, skin reaction, or why you wouldn’t recommend it

디오디너리

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Not Effective for Pore Care

Causes Allergic Reactions

Causes Breakouts

Feels Harsh on Skin

Unsatisfactory Scent

Slippery

Flips

Clears Breakouts

Not Irritating

Easily Absorbed

Has an Anti-Aging Effect

Removes Wrinkles

Improves Skin Texture

Increases Elasticity

The product seems to have different effects on various skin types. While it may be suitable for oily or combination skin due to its light consistency and non-irritating formula, it might not agree with all skin types. Some users may experience breakouts, so it's important to patch test and monitor your skin's reaction when trying new products.

I didn't have any blemishes with Innisfree's PDRN line, but after using this, I'm noticing some breakouts.

It has a lightweight texture that's gentle on combination skin. I think it would be great for those with oily skin types.

그랜액티브 레티노이드 2％ 에멀전

Admittedly, it's not as effective as retinol in terms of results. However, since it's not irritating, it might be good for those just starting out with retinoids.

My skin is super sensitive and gets really red when I use retinol, but this retinoid doesn't irritate at all. While there's no dramatic improvement, I think consistent use will show results. I'm currently on my second bottle.

Avoid storing in sunlight. Preferably keep refrigerated.

The need to refrigerate can be quite inconvenient if you don't have a skincare fridge. True to The Ordinary's products, it has an honest chemical scent. Also, since it's not available in Olive Young stores, it's difficult to test offline. It's a shame that this product, which ranks high in satisfaction among The Ordinary's range, seems to be less well-known.

A recommended retinol for oily skin, suitable for beginners to intermediate users. Unlike The Ordinary's oil formulation, which feels sticky and doesn't absorb well, this emulsion version absorbs well and leaves a clean finish. It's not too harsh, making it ideal for those with oily skin looking to start their retinol journey.

It works even better when used together with The Hwahae Testers! However, this combination might be too intense for some skin types, so I only used The Hwahae Testers once every 3-4 days to avoid irritation.

1. Storage method
They recommend refrigerating it, which I did, but it was a bit of a hassle. However, this isn't a deal-breaker by any means.

2. Container
It comes in a dropper bottle, but there's no cap cover, so I've accidentally spilled it before.

3. Night care only
This isn't really a con, but just a reminder! Since it contains retinol, you can't use it in your morning routine. It's best to apply it generously at night before bed.

I became interested in anti-aging products and after researching various options on YouTube, I bought this based on recommendations. I'm quite satisfied!

1. Absorption 
It's a moderately thin, yellow serum, and what I particularly loved was its excellent absorption! When applied to dry skin and patted in, it quickly sinks in. Even after applying other skincare basics like toner, a few pats are enough to minimize any stickiness.

I've actually tried a retinol product from the same brand before, but that one was oil-based, so it didn't absorb well and felt like it was sitting on top of the skin. This product, however, feels like it's really penetrating the skin, which I appreciate.

2. Scent
It has a slightly earthy, soybean-like scent, which might be hit or miss for some. But I personally love natural, wholesome scents, so I found it quite appealing!

3. Effectiveness
I used this alongside The Hwahae Testers. I have combination dehydrated skin, and the outer parts of my face tend to get so dry they crack, but when I use The Hwahae Testers and this emulsion together for my night care, my skin feels much more hydrated the next morning!

4. Oil content
Since it's for night care, I wasn't too concerned about the oil content, but I did notice that my nose area was quite oily when I woke up the next morning. However, it didn't feel like the kind of oil that clogs pores or causes blackheads, but more like a protective barrier, which I liked.

For maximum effectiveness, try applying the Lidul Shot before this emulsion. It really amplifies the results!

The only downside is that the container doesn't have an inner cap, so it opens quite abruptly. Other than that, no complaints!

Highly recommended for retinol beginners! The initial application might cause a slight tingling sensation, but you'll get used to it with continued use. It absorbs well, and when followed by a moisturizer, you'll wake up to skin that looks like it's had a beauty sleep!

I'm using it together with other products recommended as a set for anti-aging. They work well together. In the evening, I'm using two products in combination.

There are no downsides! I'm currently using it along with the product shown in the photo.

Nothing beats The Ordinary. I've been using their anti-aging line, finishing one product at a time. I'm using each product individually to see which one suits me best rather than focusing on synergy, and this product is great without causing any sensitivity!

After about a week of use, I feel like my skin has become firmer. It's hard to describe, but the effects come quickly - this tightening sensation?

It absorbs quickly, sinking in immediately without needing to be spread out. Because of this, it gets used up faster than expected.

Surprisingly, even when used alone, it doesn't feel lacking in hydration. It's strange because while the skin's surface feels taut, which might typically lead to dehydration, it's actually fine on its own. It's quite an intriguing product.

I'll come back after I've finished the whole bottle to let you know if I'll repurchase it.

If I really had to nitpick, the scent is quite unusual. Personally, I'm not a fan

I love that it's not irritating at all, yet seems to be effective

This product just doesn't agree with my skin. I developed blemishes, which made me wonder if it was due to my other skincare products. But when I applied my usual products and then this one, I got three new pimples or blemishes! It's clearly not compatible with my skin.

Unfortunately, I didn't find any positives. It's disappointing that this product didn't work for me, especially since most people seem to love it. I'll have to look for a different retinol product.

I used it thinking there would be no irritation, but I felt a slight tingling sensation. It doesn't last long though. Also, it feels a bit rich on the skin.

I tried this product because I heard retinoids have similar effects to retinol but with less irritation. My skin seems to have gained a bit more resilience. However, the results aren't dramatically noticeable.

I believe this is the perfect choice for those worried about side effects from traditional retinol, those who have experienced such effects, or anyone just starting their skincare journey.

While it might be slightly less effective than original retinol, it's undoubtedly superior to most anti-wrinkle products available on the market.

The Granactive Retinoid was the best alternative for someone like me who suffered from skin inflammation as a side effect of using 1% retinol products. Compared to retinol, it causes almost no irritation, yet it instantly smooths skin texture. Being an emulsion type, it absorbs without any stickiness, helps control excess sebum, and I actually saw improvements in blemish care. I highly recommend trying this if you're wary of retinol or have experienced side effects.

I'm using it twice a week, and make sure to apply sunscreen the next day. It's good to use it alongside soothing products.

The short shelf life of 3 months means you need to use it quickly. There's not much leeway. I haven't seen significant effects on pores and blackheads yet. The blackheads seem to have reduced slightly, but I'm using other products too, so I can't attribute it solely to this one.

After using this, my skin became so soft and smooth. I can feel the difference every time I cleanse. It really helps with dead skin cells and improves skin texture. The next morning after application, my skin feels incredibly soft without any flakiness, making cleansing a pleasant experience. It's not as drying as I expected. I was worried about retinol products being drying and irritating, but this wasn't as harsh as I had prepared for. There was only a slight irritation on the first day of use, but none after that. It quickly took care of my blemishes. Even though I didn't have acne as a student, I started getting occasional breakouts as an adult, which was stressful. But since using this, I haven't had any blemishes at all.

After applying, my cheeks feel hot and flushed. Also, a couple of blemishes pop up the next day... Most importantly, the pores on my cheeks became significantly enlarged after using this... I wanted to make good use of retinol for anti-aging, but it's not as easy as I thought.

When I wake up after applying it before bed, it's hard to tell if my skin is puffy or taut (my eyes are a bit swollen too...), but it's in a state of being fully saturated with hydration.

Korean Reviews

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

2 Reviews